Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, November 9
Nov 9, 2009
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Florida Governor Declares State of Emergency Due to Hurricane Ida Threat, November 9
Governor Charlie Crist declared a “State of Emergency” today, Monday, November 9, due to the possibility of Hurricane Ida impacting the State of Florida. The Governor’s Executive Order is attached.
Florida Attorney General Activates Price Gouging Hotline as Hurricane Ida Approaches State
Attorney General Bill McCollum today activated Florida’s price gouging hotline to address complaints related to Hurricane Ida.
Citizens High-Risk Rate Hearing Tomorrow
A public rate hearing will be held to discuss Citizens Property Insurance Corp.’s proposed rate increases for its High Risk Accounts.
Florida Homeowners Left Hanging on Drywall
In the 16 months since Chinese drywall problems were first reported in Florida, definitive answers remain frustratingly out of reach.
Former Taylor Bean customers find mortgage checks, homeowners insurance not being credited
Rich Jagisch sits at his dining room table with more than 30 letters from Bank of America telling him he is behind on his July and August mortgage, payments he says he made to Taylor Bean, but apparently were not credited to his account.
Jacksonville ranking on Forbes’ toxic list rankles City Hall
Last year, magazine rates city among the best in air quality
City and state officials laced into Forbes Magazine for a list released last week that ranked Jacksonville as America’s eighth most toxic large city.
Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration has previewed the first phase of Florida’s free, Internet-based personal health record.
Pressing for anticorruption measures, senator cites investigation into state investments
State Sen. Dan Gelber, vying to be Florida’s next attorney general, says the proposed anticorruption package he unveiled earlier this week is more vital than ever in light of confirmation this week that the Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating possible fraud by the board that oversees the state pension fund.
Blog: Florida Senate President Atwater issues oil drilling memo
Senate President Jeff Atwater (R-Palm Beach) today announced that the staff of the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee would be conducting a detailed and comprehensive review of the implications of offshore drilling.
First Coast lawmakers warn federal government about states’ rights
You might call it pleading the 10th. Northeast Florida lawmakers, alarmed at the increase in the size and power of the federal government, have joined a movement aimed at asserting states’ rights based on the 10th Amendment.
Factions grapple for reins of GOP in Florida
A year before one of the most wide-open elections in state history, Florida’s Republican Party has splintered over everything from philosophy to questions over how the party is being run.
Real work, cash hunt collide in Tallahassee
Lawmakers converged on the state capital this week — at a cost of some $100,000 in taxpayer money — for a few days’ worth of meetings to discuss legislation and policy matters in advance of the 2010 legislative session.
Elections complaint filed against Crist campaign
A Republican activist from Tampa has filed a federal complaint against the Charlie Crist for Senate campaign, alleging that it was involved in the creation of an anti-Marco Rubio Web site.
McKeel Won’t Run For Florida State Senate
State Rep. Seth McKeel said today he will not run for the Florida Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Paula Dockery.
SW Florida banks hit hard by bad debt
Bad debt continues to pile up at most Southwest Florida banks, even as failures, mergers and acquisitions reshape the banking landscape.
300 Florida companies may lose $85 million in job-creation tax breaks
Metro Orlando, could lose up to $85million in government incentives because they have fallen behind in hiring or even cut positions.
Complaints rising over rogue debt collectors in Florida
The news release from April 2008 issued a steely warning to rogue and abusive debt collectors.
Editorial: Legislature must fix foreclosure proceedings to help Florida tenants
Issue: Tenants are victims of foreclosure, too.
The Sunshine State continues to be buffeted by the nation’s ongoing home foreclosure crisis, a problem that has provided a rare opportunity to help a group of Floridians who, through no fault of their own, have fallen victim to this crisis — tenants.
Editorial: The water grab in Florida
When the Florida Council of 100 proposed in 2003 that the solution to Florida’s growing water shortage was to pipe massive amounts of water from water-rich North Florida to thirsting South Florida, the backlash was sharp and swift.
Rothstein saga puts Florida Capitol on edge
It wasn’t just the nippy fall breeze that gave capital insiders the shivers last week.
$1B flood barrier rises outside New Orleans
Mindful that the suburban West Bank of New Orleans has regained its pre-Hurricane Katrina population and is primed for growth, the Army Corps of Engineers is launching a $1 billion effort to keep the next storm at bay.
New York Insurers Say No-Fault Claims are Driving Up Costs
No-fault payments for medical claims by auto accident victims in New York have seen a dramatic increase over the last several years, one industry group says, and the state and insurance companies need to redouble efforts to root out fraud, abuse and other waste to put downward pressure on those costs.
New York official seeks 2010 insurance exchange revival
Regulators want to have a revamped version of the New York Insurance Exchange up running next year, a New York State Insurance Department official said Thursday.
Survey shows insurance rates an obstacle for Mississippi coast homeowners, business people
Homeowner insurance rates among residents who responded to a survey conducted by the city have increased an average of 111 percent since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Report Urges Tighter Building Code for South Carolina Beachfront
South Carolina needs to take a tougher stand to keep new beachfront development from moving closer to the ocean, according to a report requested by the state’s environmental agency.
California Agents Win Case Against State Farm
State Farm Fire and Casualty Company is going to have to pay the defense costs of the two former agents the insurance company fired, and then sued, according to a court decision handed down last week.
Credit scoring hurts insurance customers
If you have a few black marks on your credit history, you’ll probably pay more to insure your home or car than your creditworthy neighbor even if you’re a good driver or responsible homeowner.
Storm Ida Offshore Platform Impact Seen As Light says Risk Management Solutions
Tropical Storm Ida’s impact on energy company operations in the Gulf of Mexico should be light, a catastrophe modeling firm said as U.S. coastal states braced for the impact.
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